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Toyota Camry Hybrid: Ordering Process

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I ordered a Mag grey TCH base model on July 3rd. Put down my deposit but my dealer says he does not think it will be here before Sept. 30th. When should he be providing order status updates ie: when the order was placed, when it goes in to production, etc... Just curious cause reading some of the posts it sounds like people are geeting their alot quicker than 12 weeks. Thanks

I had the opportunity to visit ten dealerships in three states (GA, AZ, and MD) plus have internet discussions with dealerships in MI, Il, and VA. The approaches, comments, and levels of service varied widely.

I placed orders at three dealerships. Two required a deposit of $500 (and did not process) and one of $1000 (and did process). One order was placed in March and two in early April.

My local dealership (Sandy Springs Toyota) in Atlanta (from whom I had purchased 4 Toyotas in the last 4 years) was not interested in talking. As I later learned, four dealerships (Marietta, Atlanta, Toyota Mall of GA, and Sandy Springs) in Atlanta all had the similar approaches! "We will sell our cars for the maximum possible." A loaded TCH was offered at anywhere from $1000 - $5000 above MSRP --not to mentioned the extras (most of little to no value) that came from their distributor in Florida.

In Phoenix, I visited Wright Toyota. Though polite, the offer --MSRP + $3,500. The "closer", who offered the deal, looked and acted like a "closer". The salesman must have been the good cop and the "closer" the bad cop. Later the I was told by the salesman, let him "the closer" talk -- but don't budge -- he'll become more reasonable in time.

In MD I dealt with two dealerships. Darcars of Silver Spring offered a fully loaded TCH (in April) for MSRP + $100 + $19 (temp tags to get me back to Ga) Tax and title would be paid by me when I return to GA. When the car arrived, I would fly to BWI. They would pick me up, and I would drive home. Down payment $1000 (which they took and processed). Bottom line -- no car ever appeared. It was to come in and be delivered in early June. As I was about to depart for MD, they called and said something happened to the car -- would I like to re-order. I said, "No, please refund my money." The next day (after figuring how to get to MD again) I called about the car. I was told it had been sold and was gone. After repeated calls and almost two weeks -- my $1000 was returned!!!!

In March (after reading about the dealership in this forum) I ordered (over the internet) a silver -- fully loaded TCH -- from Fitzmall in Gaithersburg. The agreed price (in March) was MSRP + $19. (Deposit of $500 - which was never processed). At the time of my order, I was told to expect the car in the July to August time frame (They already had a list of 23 people wanting a TCH). Further, if you find a better deal in the meantime or someone else can come up with a car sooner -- feel free to take it. Your deposit will be refunded.

Shortly after the debacle at Darcars, I heard from Fitzmall. The car I wanted was "in bound" -- soon to arrive in New Jersey. We settled on a delivery date.

On 16 June, the salesman (super guy) delivered my car at Reagan National Airport in DC. We spent 15 minutes in seats in front of the Delta ticket counter -- completed all paperwork. Then we walked out to the parking garage -- looked over the car for another 15 minutes (yes, my salesman covered everything that needed to be done). He handed me all the paperwork and the FOB for the car. Then he handed me the parking ticket and $5 to depart. I paid MSRP + $19. That was it. When I returned to GA, I paid the fees for GA sales tax and tags.

Lessons Learned:1. Do your homework! It pays off!!!2. There are good dealers and sales persons. (Fitzmall and a person at Sandy Springs who did try to get the right price for me) 3. Look at the "out the door price". Doc fees and special add-on fees (premiums) is where dealers can turn what appears to be a good deal into a terrible one. 4. Refuse to pay huge mark -ups. If everyone refuses, dealers will have to keep the cars on their lots forever or lower the price. In the end the customer does have the final say. 5. FITZMALL of Gaithersburg is the "gold standard" for dealerships. If you can get there to buy a car -- Go. The internet process is refined and the service is excellent. 6. Even if you can't get to Fitzmall --check out their prices. They are a good reference for anyone buying a Toyota. You may be able to use their price points as a good bargaining tool. Remember -- "it's the "out the door" price that counts.

As for my TCH -- GREAT. Gas mileage in Atlanta (35-36) and on the highway (38 - 40). Fitzmall did a great job on prep. The ride from DC to Atlanta was a real pleasure. My TCH replaced a 2005 Lexus ES330 -- which I sold myself in 3 days. I could not be happier.

The blue glow of excellence is tough to beat!!!!!

One final thought -- someone may ask, "Why buy a Toyota in the Southeast US?" One advantage of buying in the SE is that you can "special order" a car with features somewhat out of the norm -- within reason. For example, a TCH with Nav without moonroof. Sandy Springs Toyota in Atlanta does a pretty good job of this and is quite helpful. Be prepared to wait 90 to 120 days -- particularly if the car comes from Japan. If the car is manufactured in the US times are much shorter (30 - 45 days -- depending on the features ordered)

I bought a 2006 Sienna LE from Elgin Toyota 3 months ago my brother bought a 2006 Corolla S from them and my sister bought a 2006 Highlander from them. All happy with our purchases. We were so happy with our van we decided to replace our old car with a Prius, we ran into the same thing 1795.00 over MSRP for a protection package that the car didn't have put on yet. There was a car coming in the following week with the options we wanted and was told the same 1795.00 would apply to that car also!They said (that's the price for hybrids.) We went to Elmhurst Toyota and saw our first Camry Hybrid say no more, we bought from Elmhurst, and will recomend them to everyone from now on. I am still very upset about this and can't wait for the next toyota survey to arrive. My mom is shopping now I've steered her away from the Pirates!

I ordered one through www.cars4u.comGuy by the name of Barry Thomas. I live in Ottawa and he made a trip to meet me half way in Kingston to look at mt Accord trade. He will also save me a trip to tortonto to pick it up. Also in Kingston. Good price and easy to deal with. Tell him Keith turner recommended him. Won't help me since I already have a deal but he seems straight and has satisfied me with our dealings.

Well my dealer called Friday August 4th, gave me the vehicle inquiry report number for the car I ordered. He said the car will be here in Illinois in about 35 days. I did not get the status but I would assume "A"/ We will see what happens. I really want to get it before Sept 30th to get the full tax benefit, My luck tho I will sign the papers on Oct.1st.

sounds like about a $638 discount from MSRP. MSRP without wheel locks, but with everything else you mentioned should be 30589, so I estimated $49 for locks. That seems to be about the biggest discount on a "loaded" (NAV, leather, Moonroof) TCH I have seen here.

I paid MSRP of $30,784, for mine, no wheel locks, but it has body side moldings. ($199) (Also got $1,000 more for my trade than I was told to expect in the "Real World Trade-in-Values" forum.)

Ok, I think I got a good feeling deal, just placed an order ($500 refundable) and here is my OTD $30,500 price (including 3% tax and TTL) for an out of state deal via fitzmall that it will take up to 4 months to get the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Magnetic Gray Metallic/Ash Leather loaded with the following options:

Cool! Of course, you will most likely not be eligible for the whole fed tax credit in 4 months, but you aleady probably kno wthat. Some folks aren't eligible anyway due to other financial issues, and still bought the Camry Hybrid.....

I'm sure the deal will go smoothly, from what I hear of others buying at Fitz...

I will sell or trade in my 2006 4Runner LTD V8 4WD as it is an excellent SUV but getting 13-17 MPG in city not too happy.

Try an experiment! I have a 4Runner as well as a TCH. I have been averaging 15.5 mpg. This week on fill up (I do often) I decided to drive it like my TCH. I have about 100 miles on the tank and am averaging 20.6 mpg.

I have tried all kinds of experiments, but the fact remains no more than 16-17 MPG in city... it sounds like you might have the V6 engine. Besides the reason of MPG, the main one is to save the environment from extreme daily pollution. My contribution might be very minor, but you never know if others will join as the Hybrid vehicles become more available...

Lucky, I guess -- almost gave up on the Hybrid -- All dealers in FL, CA, TX & NV told me 2-3-4 mos wait in line for a 'loaded' TCH. Sales guy said I called 10 mins after it was posted. I repeat: I got it 669 under MSRP -- and yes the odo reads 3 miles.

Lucky, lucky you. I also bought a "cancelled" TCH, but my dealer offered me no such discount. I couldn't find a TCH within several hundred miles of me with the color/options I wanted, but lo-and-behold, when I called this dealer, he said that a pre-ordered TCH exactly the way I wanted it (plus VIP security) just got cancelled by the customer, and the car was being dropped off that day. However, the TCH's are in such high demand in CA that he could have sold it within hours, so I really had no choice but to pay MSRP. I went and picked up the car that day.

Well I picked up my Mag Grey Base TCH today. Ordered July 3rd. Dealer called and sent me the inquiry report several weeks ago saying the car I ordered would be here on such and such date. They called two weeks early and said my vehicle had come in early. Needless to say when I went to pick it up the exterior color was right but interior wrong. Checked the inquiry and that was the same vehicle number. OOPS, got the wrong one, your order wont be for several more months, blah....blah....blah. I took the car the next day after cooling down cause I need a car and could not wait any more.Regardless I am very happy with the car its just the ordering process and arrogance of dealers who dont have to work to sell a car cause they have people waiting in the wings. That take it or leave it attitude. Just remember Toyota dealers, what goes around eventually comes around.